At his cousin's birthday party, John played Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey. He was blindfolded as he stood directly in front of the picture of the donkey. His aunt led him 3 steps left, 8 steps back, 5 steps right, and 2 steps forward. How could John get back in front of the picture?

Question

zepp · Answer

Let's put it 2D version :D

3 Left
8 Down
5 Right
2 Up

To get back he'll need to go 2 steps left, since he went left 3 steps and right 5 right;

Then 8 Down and 2 Up, to go back, 6 steps up.

anonymous · Answer

this is wrong

zepp · Answer

And that's only words, now let's get into math :D

3 left means -3
8 down means -8
5 right means +5
2 up means +2

Assuming he was at $(0,0)$

Left-right: -3+5=2
Up-down: -8+2=-6

He's at $(2,-6)$

To get back, -2, +6, 2 left, 6 forward.

zepp · Answer

What's the answer according to your textbook then? :|

anonymous · Answer

2 back 5 left 8 forward and 3 right

zepp · Answer

That's rewinding the steps above, what I did was a shortcut.